Miramar Unveils 5-year Plan

MIRAMAR — The city last week unveiled its proposed capital improvements for its five-year plan that includes a Town Center, swimming complex and park renovations.

The program, which runs from 2001-2005, calls for 151 projects, costing a total of $84.7 million. City officials said the improvements would be covered by the general fund budget, other revenues, impact fees and the issuing of bonds.

"The plan was to issue bonds for these major projects," Finance Director Bob Bell said.

The improvement program, scheduled for final approval June 21, includes the Town Center, which city leaders hope will serve as a downtown hub for the city. The city will pay $7.9 million for a 54.2-acre site at Red and Hiatus roads in western Miramar.

The governmental complex will feature a new city hall, cultural arts center and library. The existing city hall at 6700 Miramar Parkway will be converted into a community center.

Another big project covered under capital improvements is an aquatic center. The swimming complex, to be at 6920 SW 35th St. next to the Miramar Civic Center, will feature a 25-meter pool, a children's pool, bathrooms and showers, and a concession building.

The complex should be completed in September.

New projects for fiscal year 2001, which starts Oct. 1 that year, include: landscaping and irrigation on Miramar Parkway in western Miramar; and sidewalks, crosswalks and streetlights for Miramar Parkway from Douglas Road to Palm Avenue.

The plan also calls for a "citywide way-finding program" to provide gateway and other directional signs, landscaping and lighting on major streets within the city.

Mayor Lori Moseley said she is glad Forcina Park will have work done to improve baseball fields and other aspects of the park.

"It looks like a neglected park," she said.

Moseley said the tennis complex in SilverLakes Park should include basketball courts to give children another sports activity.

"Kids are always complaining that they have nowhere to go," she said.

Damon Adams can be reached at Dadams@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7912.